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Merson: Disillusioned fans want Arsenal to lose

Cape Town - Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes there are fans who have become so disillusioned with manager Arsene Wenger that they want the club to lose.

Wenger has come under huge pressure in recent weeks due to the Gunners' poor run of results that has seen them slip down to sixth in the Premier League.

The Frenchman though is, however, reportedly close to signing a new two-year deal at the club, as many supporters hope Arsenal finish the season poorly to force a change in direction at the top.

"There are fans that want them to lose now," Merson told ESPN.

"I think we have got to the point where it doesn't make any difference whether Wenger stays or goes. The season has fizzled out so much now that the fans don't really care any more and they have lost a bit of interest.

"I said last year that if they didn't win the league in a year when Leicester won it, then there is a big problem, but that has been the story year after year for a long time now. It is the same year after year and the fans have had enough of it.

"The trouble for me is the power he has there. Wenger does everything at Arsenal. No one tells him anything and it feels like there is an arrogance about him that is not nice. He keeps telling us he will decide what [he] will do on his future. That is not right.

"The problem is, what will he do if he leaves Arsenal? He is not like Sir Alex Ferguson who can go and have a nice day out watching horse racing. Arsenal is his life. He doesn't want to give that up."

The Gunners next welcome cross-town rivals West Ham United to the Emirates Stadium in an English Premiership clash on Wednesday night.

Kick off is at 20:45.

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